Risk factors for alcohol dependence: a case-control study.

Several possible risk factors for ICD-10 alcohol dependence were studied by comparing cases (117 men, 188 women) with controls (248 men, 300 women). Logistic regression analyses showed that parental alcohol problems and high trait anxiety were significantly related to high occurrence of alcohol dependence in both men and women. In women, high antisocial behaviour, high impulsivity, and high externality were also related to high occurrence of alcohol dependence. High facial flushing and high stimulation when intoxicated were related to low occurrence of alcohol dependence in both men and women. In men, this was also the case for high social support. Several interactions were observed. In contrast to earlier studies, there was no significant association between alcohol dependence and left-handedness.